Kent Alterman, Comedy Central's president of original programming, added: "They say only a good friend would verbally eviscerate another good friend for all his vulnerabilities. Kevin Hart is a very good friend."

Bieber's roast was announced in January, with the biggest supporter of the insult-fest being the Canadian singer himself.

"For years I have wanted Comedy Central to roast me," he wrote on Twitter. "They said only if I provided them w/ more material so for a year now I have worked hard."